Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1927. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the person or body with whom responsibility lies to ensure that the attention of owners of restricted breeds of dogs is drawn to their obligations and responsibilities pursuant to relevant legislation governing these breeds; if there are any plans to introduce a system whereby an owner of a restricted breed is obliged to register as part of the process whereby dog licences are issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2254/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has policy and legislative responsibility for dog control and the restricted breeds of dogs, that is those dogs that are required to be leashed and muzzled when in a public place.

The relevant Acts, the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, set out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 set out further requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs, including strains or crosses of those breeds, have to follow. Such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2 metres in length, by a competent person over 16 years of age, when in a public place.

Local Authorities are responsible for all operational matters in respect of their work in the implementation of the Control of Dogs Actsand the Control of Dogs Regulations and my Department has no involvement in these operational activities. Local authorities have the power to issue dog licences, appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against dog owners, where appropriate.

Last week, my officials and I met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D., to discuss how our departments can address shared concerns regarding dog control and ownership. We have agreed to establish a working group that will examine the various issues and consider all relevant legislative and enforcement issues in relation to dogs. This review will bring all the key players together to consider what action can be taken to keep both people and animals safe.